Frank Francisco Likely Done For The 2012 Season

According to Terry Collins, we may have seen the last of Mets closer Frank Francisco for the 2012 season. Francisco has been out of action recently while suffering from elbow tendinitis, and he's been limited to only 42.1 innings this season due to several different injuries. Collins had the following to say about the closer via ESPN:

I talked to Frank again today. He didn't feel like he could play catch today, so it's getting near that point of no return.

Francisco has maintained an excellent strikeout rate in his first season with the Mets, whiffing 9.99 batters per 9 innings of work. His control has been an issue though, as his 4.46 walks per 9 is his highest rate since 2007. Hopefully getting healthy over the winter allows him to improve that for 2013, as he's likely to be an important part of the Mets' bullpen.

The right-hander signed a two year deal with the Mets this past winter that will pay him $6.5 million in 2013. He's the only current member of the bullpen under contract for next season.